A Visit to the Relics of St. Bernadette

When I saw that St. Bernadette’s relics were coming to Baltimore this September, I looked at the schedule to see when I might be able to go. They would be at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, but I didn’t see a good time to make a brief visit.

In addition to the Saturday and Sunday Masses, there was a special Mass to accompany the 16th Archdiocesan Filipino Saints Fiesta Celebration. That celebration with the visit of St. Bernadette’s relics seemed like quite a double feature. I wasn’t sure how much time I wanted to spend circling the parking lot and waiting in line to pray at the relics.

But something kept tugging at me, and I decided I would try to go. Somehow, I had a feeling it would work out. When the Blessed Mother appeared to a young St. Bernadette, she gave her instructions that brought miraculous waters out of the ground—waters that draw thousands of pilgrims a year to Lourdes, France. God can certainly handle bigger miracles than finding me a parking space.

And, of course, he did. When I pulled into the Cathedral lot, I saw that many drivers had worked their own miracles, parking their vehicles in innovative spots along both sides of the driveway. I crept through the lot, found a spot, and happily parked my car.

As I walked to the Cathedral, I saw that the festival was in full swing. Archbishop William Lori was processing with a group out into the paved area in front of the Cathedral. People seemed to be everywhere, smiling and taking photos—even lifting their phones up on selfie sticks to record the archbishop as he led the group in prayer.

Inside the Cathedral, I slipped into a line of people that extended from the front of the church back to the narthex, near the main entrance. We were all waiting to see St. Bernadette’s relics. I know how long that walk is since I did it on our wedding day almost exactly 22 years ago. The line wasn’t moving fast, but it was moving.

And, of course, once I was in line, I was all in for this experience. I found myself realizing what a blessing it was that the parking lot was packed and that the line was long.

How beautiful that so many people want to gather to worship and pray. How wonderful that they long for faith-filled community and celebration. How extraordinary that so many Catholics longed to connect with St. Bernadette that they would travel to the Cathedral and stand in line and wait just to pray near her relics. How blessed I was to be there.

Especially coming on the heels of 50,000 gathering in St. Louis to celebrate the beatification of Blessed Fulton Sheen last week and seeing hundreds of thousands praying at Masses with Pope Leo in Lourdes and Paris this weekend, this visit felt like such a gift.

As I inched closer and closer to the front of the Cathedral, I was filled with joy to think of our beautiful Catholic faith—and the joy that comes in community and worship. While I was moving with the line, a woman volunteering during the visit offered me a rosary, and she invited me to write intentions on a slip of paper. All the intentions would be taken to Lourdes and prayed for in a Mass there.

I carefully wrote my intentions and thought—as I often do—how wonderful it is that we can pray for one another on earth and in heaven, not limited by time and space.

When I finally reached the relics, I prayed, and then I plunged the rosary into a basin of water from Lourdes. There was a man standing beside it, advising people on what to do, and I asked him if he had been to Lourdes.

“Thirteen times,” he said—and he smiled, the smile of someone who must know the joy of waiting in line for a faith encounter, the smile of someone who would know my wait had been brief but absolutely worthwhile.

As I turned to walk the long aisle out of the Cathedral, my hand and rosary still wet, I marveled at the people still arriving and lining up to see the relics—and the many gathered for the festival outside. What a joy-filled afternoon.

I was grateful God had provided the parking space for me. Now, if he could just remind me where I left my car….

St. Bernadette Soubirous, pray for us!

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